AFCON 2025: Salah’s Spot Kick Seals Egypt’s Knockout Spot Against South Africa

AFCON 2025: Salah’s Spot Kick Seals Egypt’s Knockout Spot Against South Africa

Mohamed Salah’s penalty proved decisive as Egypt secured a hard-fought 1–0 victory over South Africa, booking their place in the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a match to spare, despite playing the entire second half with 10 men.

The seven-time AFCON champions took the lead just before halftime when Salah converted a controversial spot kick in the 45th minute. Moments later, Egypt were reduced to 10 players after right-back Mohamed Hany received his second yellow card during first-half stoppage time.

South Africa responded by introducing Sipho Mbule for Thalente Mbatha at the start of the second half, but Bafana Bafana struggled to break down a disciplined Egyptian defence marshalled by goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy.

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Egypt remained dangerous on the counterattack and relied heavily on El Shenawy, who produced a series of crucial saves to preserve the lead. The Al Ahly shot-stopper denied Aubrey Modiba from close range following a clever backheel by Burnley striker Lyle Foster, before comfortably handling a late header from Siyabonga Ngezana deep into stoppage time.

South Africa also saw appeals for a late handball penalty waved away after the referee, Pacifique Ndabihawenimana of Burundi, consulted the pitchside VAR monitor.

Earlier in the day, Angola’s draw with Zimbabwe ensured that Egypt had already done enough to qualify for the AFCON 2025 last 16, while South Africa remain in contention, sitting two points clear of the group’s bottom two teams.

The final Group B fixtures will be played on Monday at 16:00 GMT, with South Africa facing Zimbabwe in Marrakesh, while Egypt take on Angola in Agadir.

AFCON 2025: Salah’s Spot Kick Seals Egypt’s Knockout Spot Against South Africa